Course Title:	Introduction to Sociology
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1301	Section Number:	340	Semester/Year:	Spring/2020
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other.  Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology.  Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Textbook: John J. Macionis. Society: The Basics. 14th edition.  Pearson.  ISBN 978-0-13-420632-5 Per the department, online students are expected to secure the textbook for this course. Having said that, I support students finding the cheapest version of the textbook. Today, there are often several formats from which to choose (hardcopy, ebook, rent, buy, etc.) If a student wishes to rent/buy an older version of the textbook, I wouldn't go back more than two editions since this course includes recent social statistics. However, I do not test on stats unless I've also included them in the chapter Power Point. I don't use publisher access codes because that limits a student's ability to shop around.  I provide all Power Points and supplemental materials, and I create all quizzes/exams/assignments. If a student has an additional question or concern regarding this element of the course, feel free to email me (the instructor) the first week of the semester.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 339
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Canvas email preferred.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday:  8:30AM-9:30AM  &  12:30PM-1:30PM

Tuesday & Thursday:  10:00AM-1:00PM

Wednesday:  8:30AM-9:30AM

Friday & Saturday: No Hours

Sunday:  7:00PM-8:00PM (Online only)

*And by appointment

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology

Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.

Describe key concepts in sociology.

Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.

Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Point Values
3 (out of 4)	Exams (100 points each)	300 points total
--	(*Option: Students may complete Exams 1 and 2 plus construct a research project in place of Exam 3.)
1	Learning Outcomes Assignment	50 points total
--	(*Students who opt for the research project are also exempt from the Learning Outcomes assignment.)
3 (out of 4)	Discussion Boards	60 points total

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Course grades are based on three (out of four) exams, three (out of four) discussion boards), and one Learning Outcomes Assignment. Total = 410 points

OPTION: Students are welcome to construct a research project over a topic of their choosing (with instructor approval) in place Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment. Those students still need to complete three of four discussion boards. See additional information below.

 

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

Canvas email is my preferred method of contact because it clearly identifies students/sections. Click on your Inbox tab in Canvas, choose this class and instructor. I check email at random times during weekdays, but I do not tend to check email after 5PM on weekdays or on Saturdays. On Sundays, I check email during office hours. Please allow 24 hours for return emails during the week. If you email me outside of Canvas, please identify yourself using your full name and class section (e.g. 340, 400, etc.). 

If you need to talk with me via phone and cannot call during my office hours, email me and together we'll find a time to talk which works with our schedules. 

It can be easy to fall behind or get confused in an online college course, so feel free to contact me for clarification on any requirement or concept.  I'm here to help. If you're confused about any concept or assignment, please ASK QUESTIONS EARLY rather than sit in silence questioning yourself or some aspect of this course.

 

EXAMS (300 points total;  ~73% of overall grade):

I give four online exams, but students are only required to take three. Exams 1, 2, and 3 cover their associated modules. The fourth exam is a cumulative final. Most students aim to do well on Exams 1, 2, and 3 and not worry about the final (fourth exam).

The only students required to take the comprehensive final (Exam 4) are those who missed a previous exam and must replace that zero. All students who take Exams 1, 2, and 3 are exempt from the final regardless of their overall letter grade heading into finals week. For example, if a student has taken Exams 1, 2, and 3 (i.e. has not missed any previous exam) and has an overall C average heading into finals week, that student is still exempt from taking the final. The exemption is not reserved solely for "A" students. Additionally, students who are very close to possibly moving up a letter grade may opt to take the final if they would like to try and replace a lower exam score. 

 

TAKING ONLINE EXAMS:

Online exams are not designed for students to casually flip through and copy off notes at their own pace. Exams are TIMED. You're allowed ONE ATTEMPT and 70 minutes to answer 45-55 questions.  I do not re-open exams for students who run out of time while taking exams. Doing so would be unfair to other students.

Once you begin an exam, you CANNOT save it and come back later. If you sign out of an exam, that counts as your one attempt, Canvas will score all unanswered questions as incorrect, and that will be your grade. Once you begin the exam, you must complete it in one sitting.

Exams are open for four days, giving students plenty of time to find a 70-minute block which works around their other obligations. Exams open at 8:00AM on Thursdays and close at 11:59PM on Sundays. 

Exams are listed in the "Quizzes" tab when they are ready to open. Do not wait until the hour before an exam closes to start the exam as you may run out of time. Due dates are listed in the syllabus, the "Assignments" tab, and the "Quizzes" tab. I also put a direct link to the exam on the home page when the exam is set to open.

 

STUDYING: Be sure to read each assigned chapter AND all additional materials provided, such as Power Points, outlines, summaries, and videos. Pay close attention to any concept mentioned in multiple places (i.e. the textbook, AND the Power Point, AND a video) as that's a good indicator that concept has been deemed very important (thus, the repetition). I'll also provide a review sheet at least a week prior to an exam opening. If you have any questions or confusion about a concept, feel free to email me for further explanation.

 

COMPUTER ISSUES: 

It is well known that many “computer issue" excuses are fabrications versus legitimate issues. If a student contacts me on the premise that he/she/they experienced a computer issue and I find info which suggest otherwise, I consider that scholastic dishonesty and that student will earn a zero. Students who experience a legitimate computer issue need to provide three forms of documentation before make-ups will be considered: 

1) First, immediately take a snapshot IMAGE of the ERROR MESSAGE so you have something to show our IT department and me. You can either take an image using your smart phone or by hitting the "PrtSc" (Print Screen) key on a your PC. If you have a Mac, Google the process now so you are ready should something happen in the future. Without VISUAL proof of an issue, I do not consider options.

2) Second, immediately contact the NCTC eCampus HelpDesk by sending a request TICKET for assistance. Click on the word "Help" in the upper right hand corner of Canvas, near "LogOut," and follow the instructions. The phone number is (940) 668-3335, and the direct website to submit a request for technical assistance is https://ecampushelpdesk.nctc.edu/hc/en-us/requests/new.

3) Third, you may then send me an email but you MUST include the snapshot IMAGE *and* the TICKET NUMBER (found in parenthesis in the automatic email response generated from the HelpDesk upon submission of your ticket and sent to your email address on file; make sure your email is up-to-date) once you submit. The only reason to then email me is to give me a heads up that the Help Desk is working on your issue. However, if there is no image and no ticket number to provide proof of your issue, I do not offer any special consideration.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSIGNMENT (50 points; ~13% of grade):

The learning outcomes assignment is required for all students (except those who opt for the research project option). The assignment is due Sunday, May 3rd and will open at least one week prior, giving students a week to construct a well-thought-out, concise response. The assignment will ask students to draw on knowledge gained throughout the semester. It's designed to assess whether students grasp the learning outcomes of the course and meet core objectives as required by the state. The assignment is short-essay/answer format and should be about 2 pages (single-spaced) in length.  Students will be allowed to pick from four topic options.

Students must work alone on this assignment. Students whose answers replicate others will be given a zero and may be reported for scholastic dishonesty. 

 

*ALTERNATE OPTION -  EXAM 1, EXAM 2, and A RESEARCH PROJECT:

I've typically required all students to submit a research project. However, I am giving students the option to construct a research project in place of TWO requirements: Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment. As such, this project is worth 150 points, the same as the exam and the learning outcomes assignment together. These students will still need to complete three of four discussion boards.

Students may create a Power Point (or Google Slides) or a video (similar to an oral report). Only the instructor will see the finished project. Students will not "present" anything to the class publicly. Students may work alone or in groups of two (maximum). If you choose to work with a partner, choose wisely. Students working in pairs will receive the same grade as I have no way of verifying who did what work. Most students in this class opt to work alone on a project of their interest. I've provided a short video in a "Research Project Option" module, but feel free to email me any additional questions.     

Students who wish to create a project in place of Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment must email me in Canvas before Sunday, February 23rd. This allows time for me to refine any topic of choice, clarify instructions, offer suggestions, etc. The finished project is due before 11:59PM Sunday, May 3rd.

    

DISCUSSION BOARDS (60 points total; ~15% of grade):

I will give five graded discussion boards this semester, but students are only required to complete three. (This does not include the ungraded Introduce Yourself board.) Three graded boards are required, and those will each be worth 20 points. Students who answer four or five boards can earn up to an additional 15 points per board. Instructions are listed within each board. For most boards, students will not be able to see the posts of others until they post their initial response. For all boards, students are also required to respond to at least one other student's post. Full credit on boards is not guaranteed. Posts must show college-level comprehension and add something of substance to the conversation for full credit. All boards are open on the first day of class so students can be thinking about connections as they read; however, please do not jump to answer all boards at once. Students will move at varying paces, but I prefer that students at least wait until they've read the associated chapter(s) relevant to each board.

Although only three are required, I encourage students to respond to all five boards. That extra credit provides a useful grade buffer--especially for anyone who has high test anxiety or trouble with exams.

 

MISSED ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP POLICY: 

Make-ups are only offered to students who experience a formally documented medical emergency or military service requirement. Make-ups are not offered due to missing assignments for celebrations, extracurricular activities, changes in work schedules, relationship problems, undocumented medical issues, etc. 

Medical Emergencies: Students who experience a medical emergency (e.g. ER visit, unexpected surgery, etc.) which interferes with an assignment should contact me within five days of that documented emergency so we can determine how to proceed. Students need to attach an image of the hospital documentation along with their initial email. I do not need to know the specifics of any diagnosis (that can remain confidential), so an image of the hospital bracelet simply showing the student's name and date of admission will usually suffice. A portion of the discharge instructions sheet hospitals must provide patients--the section showing the name of the patient and date(s) of service--will also usually suffice.

Funerals: Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for students to fabricate stories of a death in the family. As such, I require documentation if you miss an assignment/exam and seek a make-up for this reason. As above, students should contact me within five days of the death so we can determine exactly how to proceed. Death is a serious matter and to protect students who sadly do experience such an event, I do not tolerate fabrications in this area. I consider fabricating a family sickness/death for personal gain to be a form of scholastic dishonesty. As such, the student will receive an automatic zero for the work in question.

Military Service: The military service stipulation for late work is only offered to the military personnel himself/herself since that student's access to a computer may be temporarily disrupted. It does not extend to significant others who, albeit a stressful time, still have home/school access to computers. Students who need to meet a military service requirement during the semester should contact me in advance of leaving for service so we can determine how to proceed with schoolwork. If a student is unexpectedly called into service (i.e. as some of my students were for Hurricane Harvey), please notify me via email as soon as the word comes down so I can anticipate any necessary adjustments. Usually, there is not a problem making adjustments, so do not worry. However, feel free to email me any questions on this matter.

 

GRADES:

Grades are always posted in Canvas. If you have a question about your grade, check Canvas first. Once you have viewed Canvas, you are welcome to contact me via email in Canvas.

 

EXTRA CREDIT & EMAILS SEEKING A HIGHER GRADE:

Leeway is already built into this course. I offer the ability to drop one exam grade if students take all four exams. Additionally, although only three graded discussion boards are required, students may respond to all five graded discussion boards (DBs #1-5), with the extra two counting as extra credit.  I do not offer additional work or points to raise an individual student's grade, regardless of circumstance (e.g. graduation requirements at NCTC or another college/university, etc.) as that would be unfair to others.

 

VIDEO REVIEWS:

I create my own video reviews for most chapters. They aren't professionally produced by any means, but I do focus on concepts which students frequently find most confusing and concepts which come up on quizzes. Each semester, students report the videos are/were helpful. Additionally, the YouTube channel "Crash Course Sociology" also has several useful videos on various topics covered in Intro courses: Crash Course Sociology Preview

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

*The chapter number may vary by textbook edition as the newest edition (15th ed) has added a media chapter (Ch5). Pay attention to the title of the chapter more than the numeric number.

 

MODULE ONE

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective/Theory/Method

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization (You will not be tested on Freud, Piaget, and Gilligan)

Chapter 4: Social Interaction (Focus on the info re: Goffman, dramaturgical analysis, and presentation of self, pages ~108-111)

Chapter 5: Groups (Only read the info on primary/secondary groups [pp. ~124-126] and in-groups/out-groups [pp. ~128-30].)

EXAM 1 - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, February 20th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, February 23rd

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter: Sexuality in Society

Chapter: Deviance

Chapter: Social Stratification

Chapter: Gender Stratification (selected points)

Chapter: Race & Ethnicity

EXAM 2 - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, April 2nd & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, April May 5th

 

Spring Break: No Class March 16th-21st

 

MODULE THREE

Chapter: Family and Religion

Chapter: Education & Health/Medicine

Chapter: Modernization and Social Change (Sections “What is Social Change?” & “Causes of Social Change” only, pp. ~488-494)

Learning Outcomes Assignment -OR- Power Point Research Project due before 11:59PM Sunday, May 3rd

EXAM 3  - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, May 7th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, May 10th

 

Final Exam--Opens Monday, May 11th & closes at 11:59PM Wednesday, May 13th. *The only students required to attend class and take the cumulative final exam are those who need to make-up a previously missed exam. See aforementioned exam policy.

 

I do not expect schedule changes in online classes. However, should one occur, students will be notified via a class announcement and email in Canvas.

  

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Statement Prepared By the College:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL).

The Instructor-Specific Policy:

In this online course, students should sign in at least three times a week to stay on top of assignments, announcements, etc. On many days, there will be nothing new and you can log right out. Please keep track of all due dates. I do not send extra announcements or emails reminding students of every single due date. Due dates are usually listed in advance on assignments, and Canvas often shows "To Do/Coming Up" reminders in red on the class home page.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Friday, April 3rd.

 

EMAILS, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES: 

Use Canvas to download lecture materials, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email the instructor. For online classes, all assignments, exams, and discussion boards are submitted in Canvas.

You might want to set NCTC emails and Canvas notifications to be forwarded to the email account you check most frequently. Click on your profile icon to add info/change settings, and you'll see the word "Notifications."

Since most due dates are listed on the syllabus and/or are listed alongside the assignments/exams title in Canvas, I do not send reminders for every item of graded work. Please keep track of all due dates and ask questions early. 

Students also need to check class announcements regularly. If a student has not been signing in frequently, he/she/they should click on the "Announcements" tab to catch up.

 

BEHAVIOR:

I have never had a behavioral issue; however, so we’re on the same page, I expect students to be respectful to all. In online courses, students are expected to remain civil in all forms of communications, such as emails and discussion boards. Specific action taken during and following a disruptive incident will depend on the nature of the incident, but it is possible to be removed from this course for scholastic dishonesty or behavioral issues.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Sign up to receive text messages on campus closings due to inclement weather or a campus emergency via the LionAlert system. Info on LionAlert: https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/Need_Help/LionAlert.jnz

  

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (e.g. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

OSD Students: Please email me asap so I can make sure all accommodations are met. You do not have to disclose your disability/diagnosis; that's confidential. Instructors only need to know your allowed accommodations. 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______     

X       Social and Behavioral Sciences

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core) 

X   Critical Thinking

X   Communication

X   Empirical and Quantitative

X   Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

X   Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online. http://www.nctc.edu/catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook/nctc-student-handbook.html

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)].” 

Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism, cheating, and/or collusion of any type will result in a zero for that assignment, exam, or project. Also, a few students have fabricated stories about not being able to access Canvas and wanted make-up work for missed assignments. Be aware that Canvas allows instructors to track student log-in's, work, etc. Fabricating stories of any kind for personal gain is also a form of scholastic dishonesty. Any form of scholastic dishonesty will result in a zero and may be reported to administrators at NCTC.

  

QUESTION OR CONCERNS AFTER SPEAKING WITH INSTRUCTOR FIRST:

Name of Department Chair:	Crystal R.M. Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 24
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731, ext. 4320
E-mail Address:	cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Bruce King
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus
Telephone Number:	940-668-4267
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu